Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Movie Release Date, Cast, Villain, Trailer, Knuckles, Tails, Jim Carrey, Updates, News and Everything You Need to Know

Filming has finally wrapped on Sonic the Hedgehog 2, and thankfully it doesn't look like there will be any further delays. The sequel was originally set for release this year, but like many others was postponed due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. While fans and moviegoers may have forgotten, the original film also underwent its own delays. Set for November 2019, Sonic the Hedgehog – which would be the speedy blue bomber's cinematic debut – garnered controversy faster than Sonic on a sugar-high, when the initial trailer did no favors for the film whatsoever, showing an ill-conceived design for the hero, coupled with some really underwhelming special effects. The film that surrounded him didn't look that much better, either, and as for the trailer's track of choice - Coolio's "Gangsta's Paradise" – well, the less said about that, the better.

Fortunately, in response to a wave of backlash and criticism, director Jeff Fowler wasted no time in promising to fix things by bringing Sonic as closer to his game design as possible, while also working to enhance the film itself. As a result, Sonic the Hedgehog was delayed until February 2020, but it was patience fans were willing to exercise in exchange for a better deal - especially once they'd seen the newly improved trailer. And it turned out to be just that. The end result was a far superior (and less obnoxious) Sonic, and the film was surprisingly good too. Sonic the Hedgehog also went on to become the most successful video game movie ever, making over $300 million worldwide. Of course, when you look at the contenders, this was never the biggest challenge, but considering the movie features an animated character starring alongside human actors – a formula that seldom works – it's suddenly even more impressive.

Now, we already have a sequel underway, which is promising to shape up to be just as good, if not better, than Sonic's first outing. So here's everything you need to know about Sonic the Hedgehog 2.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 plot

The original film sees a young (and adorable) Sonic arrive on Earth, where he spends years living in an underground cave, reading Flash comics, and becoming something of an urban legend among locals. Eventually, he meets Tom Wachowski, the local sheriff, and embarks on an adventure to collect his lost golden rings so that he can return home, all the while the eccentric-yet-evil military contractor and inventor Dr. Robotnik is hot on their, ahem, tails, using state-of-the-art drones to aid him in his pursuit.

In Sonic the Hedgehog 2, the 'blue blur', who has settled into life at Green Hills with Tom and Maddie, must team up with Tails to stop Dr. Robotnik and Knuckles, who have escaped from the ‘mushroom world' to acquire the powerful Chaos Emeralds, with which they'll be able to harness the power to destroy and rebuild as they see fit.

The plot for Sonic the Hedgehog 2 appears to be based loosely on the 1992 platform game of the same name, which first introduced Tails on an adventure that sees the two heroes team up to stop Robotnik from stealing the Chaos Emeralds. However, the film also seems to have adopted elements from 1994's Sonic the Hedgehog 3, which includes Knuckles' first appearance, in which he forms an alliance with a stranded Robotnik.

Will Jim Carrey be in Sonic the Hedgehog 2?

Jim Carrey will be reprising his role as Doctor Robotnik, aka ‘Eggman', in Sonic the Hedgehog 2. In the first movie, Jim Carrey impressed (and tickled) fans by tapping into his classic 90s self, calling upon the likes of previous wacky roles such as Ace Ventura and The Mask, an approach that suited a film based on a video game franchise born in that same decade. However, as we learned in the original film, Jim Carrey's version of Dr. Robotnik was something of an origin story, as viewers had to wait until a mid-credit scene, in which he was finally rocking a bald head, industrial goggles, and that enormous, villain-esque mustache.

Will Tails be in Sonic the Hedgehog 2?

Sonic's orange, tail-spinning sidekick will also be appearing in Sonic the Hedgehog 2. As you may remember, Tales made his debut cinematic appearance during a mid-credit scene in the original film, which saw him arrive at Green Hill looking for Sonic, before descending into the valley using his signature ‘tail-spin'. Much like 'Sonic Design 2.0', fans were impressed with the depiction of Tails. And now we know that the fan-favorite character will have a prominent role alongside the blue hedgehog in the sequel. A recent set picture showing practical versions of Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails also proves that filmmakers haven't tampered with Tails' design. Phew. But who, or what, is Tails? His full name is Miles Tails Prower, and he's a sentient, anthropomorphic fox with twin tails - a kind of genetic abnormality - that have the ability to spin incredibly fast. It's fair to say we can expect some innovative action sequences in the upcoming film, given Tails' ability to essentially become a super-fast helicopter.

Will Knuckles appear in Sonic the Hedgehog 2?

Everyone's favorite hot-head echidna is confirmed to be an integral part of the plot in Sonic the Hedgehog 2, so fans needn't worry about waiting to see him in a mid or post-credit scene. In the sequel, Dr. Robotnik will team up with the red echidna to search for the elusive-yet-powerful Chaos Emeralds. Member of the Knuckles Clan (part of the Echidna Tribe, which we saw in the first film), the ‘guardian of the Master Emerald' has been a fan-favorite for nearly 30 years and was first introduced in 1994's Sonic the Hedgehog 3 as a villain. However, it was only through being manipulated by Dr. Robotnik, so it's likely we'll see him team up with Sonic and Tails in the third act of Sonic the Hedgehog 2, to take down the maniacal, mustache-twirling villain.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 - Who's in it?

Returning to the fold are James Marsden, Tika Sumpter, Adam Pally, Natasha Rothwell, Ben Schwartz, and Jim Carrey, who will be reprising their roles as Tom Wachowski, Maddie Wachowski, Wade Whipple, Rachel, Sonic the Hedgehog and Dr. Robotnik, respectively. Newcomers include Shemar Moore, whose role is being kept secret, while the voice actor for animated character Tails is also currently unknown.

However, it was announced on August 10 that Idris Elba will be playing Knuckles in the new movie.

Who is the villain in Sonic the Hedgehog 2?

As you may have already guessed by now – or perhaps you're a hardcore fan of the games – the villains in Sonic the Hedgehog 2 will be Dr. Robotnik and Knuckles. While fans of the games were a little disappointed with Carrey's look in the original 2020 film, the mid-credit scene acted fast to wash away any doubt. Carrey has also suggested that the sequel will see him don a more ‘traditional' look of Robotnik, with the possibility of him even wearing a bodysuit to appear larger. Either way, in Sonic the Hedgehog 2, thin or large, we'll finally see the actor in full Robotnik mode, so expect Carrey to be dialed up to eleven. Or maybe twelve, for that matter. When isn't he an eleven?

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 updates & news

The film recently wrapped production in Hawaii, which is likely being used to double as Sonic's homeworld, Mobius, or to be more specific, Green Hill, which appeared animated in the first installment. The choice to shoot on location this time around is possibly due to the inclusion of human actors in Sonic's natural environment.

Last year, the official logo for the film was released, depicting Sonic's iconic spiked hair built into the letter ‘C' in his name, and twin tails in the figure ‘2'.

Earlier this year, Paramount Pictures also released a 'title announcement' for the new logo.

On August 10, actor Idris Elba was announced to be playing Knuckles in the new film.

In October, Lee Majdoub was confirmed to be reprising his role as Agent Stone.

When is Sonic the Hedgehog 2 coming out?

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 dashes into theaters on April 8, 2022.

Related: Ghostbusters Afterlife Release Date, Trailer, Cast, Streaming, Toys, Where to Watch, Updates, News and Everything You Need to Know